Saturday, April 30, 2016

Along with the return of Nick Swisher, Yankee fans can feel bolstered by the knowledge that Phil Coke has shaved his graying beard and is now a lug nut in our starting rotation at Trenton.

Last night, Phil - now age 33 - pitched 5 innings and gave up only 1 run, which was unearned. He is "stretched out," having pitched in an independent league.

In case you're keeping score, last year Phil pitched a total of 12 innings for Toronto and the Cubs, compiling an ERA of 5.68. In his five years with Detroit, after the Yankees dealt him in the Curtis Granderson/Ian Kennedy/Austin Johnson three-way, Phil was a serviceable bullpen lefty, with a an ERA of 4.25.